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THE WITNESS
MARCH 28, 2019
WHEELS
www.witness.co.za
A van for every need
Win this flashdrive! Stand a chance to win this 4GB USB flashdrive disguised as a Mercedes-Benz key fob by answering how how fast the new Sprinter can drive. E-mail your answers to alwyn.viljoen@witness.co.za The winner will be announced in the next Wheels. One entry per reader.
ALWYN VILJOEN feels safe as houses in a Sprinter swerving down Kyalami’s ‘mineshaft’
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RACING in a high roof taxi with 12 passengers on board around Kyalami sounds like fun — until you are the one sitting over the rear wheels as they lift while the driver slaloms at top speed down the straight called “the Mineshaft”. This was how Nadia Trimmel, vicepresident of Mercedes-Benz Vans South Africa, chose to launch the third generation Sprinter van in Mzansi — proving with screeching tyres how the active safety systems keeps the big van from rolling despite hard swerving. Trimmel also had a driver instructor whip a heavy trailer through the slalom to show how the trailer stabiliser keeps everything in line to prevent the trailer from jack-knifing. The dramatic demo was not just to thrill the assembled media and fleet buyers, but to provide graphic reassurance for the millions of long-distance passengers who ride in a Sprinter every day that the third generation van is safer than ever. Merc’s media manager for vans, Sibusiso Mkwanazi, said the Sprinter has since its international market launch in 1995 dominated South Africa’s longdistance market. He said eight in 10 long-distance taxis are Sprinters, thanks to outstanding handling characteristics, leading safety levels and unrivaled comfort features. The latest Sprinter benefits from a €2,5 billion worldwide investment in both the Sprinter’s development as well as sales and after-sales support. With this massive investment, Merc aims to turn the Sprinter into the van that is “100% anything and everything, to everyone”. Trimmel assured the taxi and fleet operators the new Sprinter “will continue where its predecessor left off by embodying attributes that have made
CV Joint speCialists
The third generation Sprinter aims to continue dominating the long-distance taxi market with the Inkanyezi (left) but also offers car drivers a higher seating position and powerful but frugal engines in the 311 CDI, as well as all-wheeldrive models that are popular with overseas campers. it so successful: flexibility, robustness and being economical”. A Sprinter for every need Trimmel said the Sprinter can be ordered in over 600 configurations, from a basic short wheel base panel van to a motorhome, a niche market that Merc expects will show a lot of growth in South Africa. For freight movers, the cargo volume of the third generation Sprinter is up to 15,5 cubic metres, with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of up to 5,5 tons. Taxi operators can order the new Sprinter Inkanyezi in three different grades, with options ranging from three-point safety belts on every seat instead of lap straps, to USB ports that enable cellphone charging for all rows of seats in the rear, to an electric sliding door. Standard assistance systems include Cross Wind Assist, which makes van journeys considerably safer, especially in adverse conditions on any terrain, and Hill Start Assist, which makes it easier to start up hills from a stationary position. Optional extras A long list of optional features can make the Sprinter one of the safest large vans on South African roads, if the operator can afford the rather high costs of these optional features.
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They include lane keeping assist, a reversing camera displaying in the rearview mirror and cruise control with active distance assist. In the event of the vehicle in front decreasing speed, the system will slow the vehicle down up to a complete stop. While Volvo made much noise of plans to “limit” new cars to 180 km/h from 2020, all Merc’s vans are electronically governed at a sedate 100 km/h, a welcome safety feature taxi drivers will hate, but the passengers will love. A feature that should be standard rather than optional in SA’s taxis is active brake assist (ABA), which warns the driver of oncoming danger, and depending on the distance and size of the obstacle ahead, sounds an alarm to alert the driver. Under the hood Merc has not changed its proven 2,2-litre, four-cylinder Mercedes-Benz OM651 diesel engine, which Trimmel said is the perfect entry-level engine for courier businesses. The 2,2 is mapped to make either 84 kW and 300 Nm or 120 kW and 380 Nm. For more demanding applications, like ferrying 22 passengers and a twoton braked trailer long distance, Merc’s three-litre, six-cylinder OM642 makes 140kW and 440Nm. A six-speed manual or Merc’s seven-
speed automatic provide wide ratios to keep the diesel engine revving as low as possible. Of note is that Merc has reduced the service intervals to replace oil sooner to ensure a healthy engine. Cost of ownership Prices for the Sprinters are in the same ballpark as those of luxury double cabs, but Fleetbase consultant Johan van Niekerk said the buying price is just one of 120 factors that influence the total cost of ownership (TCO). Van Niekerk said the new Sprinter is in his view the best value for money on the van market, based on the cents per km (CPK) running costs and consumption. The new Sprinter 516 CDI records improved fuel consumption of 8,5% and a cents-per-kilometre reduction of 4,5%. The new 3,49 ton GVM Sprinter 311 CDI also allows drivers with a Code B licence (old Code 8) to pilot the vehicle, creating more opportunities for drivers in small companies. Van Niekerk also recommends not owning a depreciating asset, but recommends a lease with a small balloon payment. Merc’s in-house bank, MBSF, offers four ways to lease a Sprinter, all of which focus on providing solutions that bring what Van Niekerk described as “magnificent improvements” to a
company’s cash flow. Multimedia system While most taxi and fleet operators order their Sprinters with the minimum extras, they can order Merc’s User Experience multimedia system (MBUX), which is an artificial intelligence system working in either a seven-inch or a 10,25-inch display screen with HD resolution. The AI constantly listens for the activation phrase “Hey Mercedes” for voice control, but can also be controlled via the controls on the steering wheel. Pricing (excluding VAT) While customers can specify any of over 600 variants, from a single cab bakkie to a luxury camper; Merc’s 40 van dealerships across South Africa have 18 models ready. Six variants of the Sprinter freight carrier are available, starting with the 316 CDI (120 kW/380 Nm) for R461 783 and moving up to the 519 CDI all-wheel drive double cab (140 kW/440 Nm) for R788 650. A dozen variants of the Sprinter panel van can be ordered, starting at R501 448 for the 311 CDI (84 kW/300 Nm) and topping out at R815 925 for the 519 AWD (140 kW/440 Nm). • alwyn.viljoen@witness.co.za
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